Nothing Ear 3

The reviewer finds the Nothing Ear 3's out-of-the-box sound overly bass-heavy and V-shaped, but praises the app's extensive EQ options, which allow for a much more balanced and enjoyable sound. They note the noise cancellation is average compared to the AirPods Pro 3, but appreciate the design and the unique talk button feature. Overall, they see the Ear 3 as a good alternative with significant tuning potential, though not a direct competitor in ANC.

The reviewer is highly impressed with the Nothing Ear 3, praising the innovative talk button on the case that significantly improves call quality, the excellent sound with deep bass and detailed highs, and the premium build. However, they note that the ANC and transparency modes are not as strong as competitors like the Galaxy Buds 3 FE, and battery life is average. Overall, they consider these potentially their new favorite earbuds despite some weaknesses.

The reviewer, an audio engineer, finds the Nothing Ear 3 a mixed upgrade over the previous generation. While the build quality, design, and advanced EQ are praised, the battery life is disappointing, connectivity is buggy, and the new Super Mic feature has significant compatibility and latency issues. The fit may also be less secure for some ears, and the price increase to $180 is not fully justified.

The reviewer finds the Nothing Ear 3 to be a solid pair of earbuds with good sound, a premium metal design, and an excellent companion app, but the headline Super Mic feature is awkward and doesn't deliver better call quality than the earbuds themselves. Battery life is below average for the price, and the higher cost over the previous model is hard to justify unless the design or specific features appeal to you.